Scoring just 7 total points in the second and third quarters, EP fell behind by 15 before a rally fell short in a 39-34 loss.
Eden Jensen and Ashlyn Johnson each had four points in the first quarter as the Panthers got out to a 9-7 lead after one.
The second quarter would be one the Panthers would like to forget as they were held to just one point on a free throw by Aubrey Huisman with just a few seconds remaining in the first half. Kewanee grabbed the lead at the five minute mark going up 10-9. Multiple EP turnovers along with no good bounces on the rim led to a 15-9 Boiler lead with just over a minute left. The Panthers would go to the locker room trailing 17-10.
The Lady Boilers got a quick turnover and a run out to build their lead to 9 thirty seconds into the second-half. The Panthers showed much more aggressiveness on the offensive end of the court after the break as they went on a 6-0 run with Johnson hitting a three-ball to make it 19-16 Boilers. The home team responded with a run of their own outscoring the Panthers by 7 the rest of the quarter lead 26-16 after three.
Kewanee pushed their lead to 13 on a three-ball with just over 6 minutes left in the game and eventually went up by 15 with a score of 31-16. The Panthers finally began cutting into the lead with Brynn Brown hitting a three followed by a steal and a run out by Johnson to make it a 31-21 game with 5 1/2 minutes remaining. A bucket in the paint by Lauren Abbott followed one trip later by a free throw got the Panthers within seven with just over 4 minutes remaining. Another steal and a run out by the Panthers got them within 5 at 31-26. Unfortunately, the Panthers would get no closer as Kewane was able to hang on for the win.
Aubry Huisman and and Ashlyn Johnson each had 9 to lead the Panthers. Eden jensen added 6. Kewanee was led by VanWinkle with 14 and Clucas with 9 on three 3-balls.
After a very good game against Monmouth United last week EP looked flat. “It seemed like we let our offense dictate our defense when things were tough for us tonight,”said Panther coach Chris Brown. “The middle two quarters killed us tonight. We let VanWinkle get going and we knew she could shoot the ball well.
I thought we did some good things as well with not having any practice the last four days. We have to do a better job on the boards and I thought we missed some bunnies tonight.”
The 2-3 Panthers will travel to hall on Thursday.
There was no JV game due to low numbers for Kewanee but the JV squads will meet in Kewanee on Wednesday.
